The black locust, also known as the false acacia, is a very interesting tree simply because of its origin and the resulting appearance. With its white flowers in early summer, it delights gardeners and walkers in public parks. Among other things, numerous cultivated forms with exceptional growth are available. But although the deciduous tree is very beautiful to look at, its branches have sharp thorns. In addition, almost all components of the plant are highly toxic. Find out more about the extraordinary tree, which is now also widespread in Europe, in the following profile.
What is a black locust profile?
The robinia (Robinia) is a poisonous deciduous tree with a height of up to 30 meters, white flowers and sharp thorns. The round, umbrella-like crown and the odd-pinnate leaves are particularly striking. The robust wood of the black locust is used in many areas such as furniture making, shipbuilding and exterior architecture.
General
- German name: common robinia
- other names: mock acacia, false acacia, white robinia, common pod thorn, silver rain
- Latin name: Robinia
- Tree type: deciduous tree, butterfly flowerer
- Subgenus: Faboideae (legumes)
- maximum age: up to 200 years
- Use: as a park or garden tree
- Special features: highly toxic, hardy, changes the nitrogen content of the soil through symbiosis
Habitus
Growth
- maximum height: 20 m (in closed stands up to 30 m)
- short trunk
- tends to form double crowns
- round, umbrella-like crown
leaves
- late leaf emergence (end of May)
- Length of leaves: 15-30 cm
- alternating arrangement
- 19 individual leaves on a petiole
- mismatched
- Leaves hang down in strong heat
- Color of the top of the leaf: rich green
- Color of the underside of the leaf: gray-green
- Stipules have turned into thorns
- summergreen
- Autumn color: strong yellow
- Shape of leaves: egg-shaped
- sawn leaf edge
Flowers
- Color of the flowers: white (less often pink) with reddish flower stalks
- produce a lot of nectar
- 30 cm inflorescences
- Flowering time: May - June
- monoecious
- smell intensely of bergamot
- Pollination by insects
Bark
- most poisonous part of the plant
- grey-brown
- deep cracked
Roots
- form symbiosis with nitrogen bacteria
- Shallow or deep roots
Occurrences
- in the northern hemisphere
- Country of origin: North America
- Spread: by humans
- in mixed deciduous forests
- at altitudes up to 1600 m
- sunny locations
- pH value of the soil: slightly acidic, alkaline
- grows on sandy and clay soils
Use of the wood
- Properties of wood: strong, flexible, robust
- great importance for the economy
- Shipbuilding
- Furniture
- Exterior architecture
- Children's toys
- resistant to rot
- Garden furniture
- Mining
- Tree serves as a pasture for bees
- honey is made from the flowers
- elaborate workmanship
- unpleasant smell
Pests and diseases
- Robinia leaf miner
- Phloespora leaf spot disease
- Aphids
